TC or PB Hard Cast?

[olywa]

I'm looking at some 357 hard cast bullets from National Bullet for woods carry. They have both a truncated cone and a flat point 180 grain. I want to load these up to medium velocity (say 1000-1100fps?) for a 4" Security Six and I've got either Unique or 2400 to push them with. I'm new to hard cast bullets and not sure what to consider when making this choice. Any help is appreciated.

 

[Doug b]

1000 to 1100 fps - 180 gr. cast isn't really a medium load especially with a 4" barrell.To get that velocity you'll be loading at max. 2400 would work best.Start at suggested start and work your way up.Do you have a manual?

 

[olywa]

Thanks Doug, a closer look at my manuals shows that 1100 is pushing it a bit. Some of the tables I looked at initially were based on an 8 3/8" barrel. I'll definitely start low.

 

[ChristopherG]

PB refers not to a Flat Point (PF, or WFN for Wide Flat Nose, or somesuch), but to a Plain Base (as opposed to a Beveled Base).

The dimension that matters for a solid bullet (given equal calibers and weights) is the meplate, the diameter of the flat face of the bullet, which generates the crushing wound channel. Bigger is better (up to a point; the full meplate of a full-on wadcutter can lead it to tumble in a target rather than crush its way through--not as effective). I suggest you choose the bullet that has the larger meplate out of these two, and see how it shoots for you. If it doesn't, try the other one.

 

[Doug b]

Olywa if you get the opportunity try some blue dot under your cast bullets in 357.

 

[olywa]

Thanks All,
I appreciate the info. I also got my curiosity satisfied about wadcutters. I was wondering if bigger meplats are better, why wouldn't a full-bore meplat from a wadcutter be a good choice. I was thinking it would put some serious 'slap' on anything it hit.

Doug - How clean does that Blue Dot burn? What about the flash? I was going to try Accurate #9 next based on some of the reading I had done here and on other forums.

 

[Doug b]

Blue Dot burns cleaner than 2400 but not as clean as the new Unique.As for muzzle flash, couldn't begin to guess.The only powders I've ever checked for flash were Unique and AL-5 in 9mm. many moons ago.

The reason I suggested Blue Dot is I find it to be very accurate with cast bullets in .357,jacketed bullets are another story.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

A few things here:

1. Blue dot is VERY flashy out of short tubes. But as mentioned can be extremely accurate as well with cast bullets.

2. Use 2400 if you are going to push that hard. It dosen't pressure spike like blue dot can.

3. Buy or borrow a chrono to map your velocity vs. powder charge increase.

Ie: if you go up .3 grains and gain 50fps, then the next .3 grain increase should net you another 50 fps, and so on. As long as these increases are linear, and you have no pressure signs, you are good to go.

4. Use a very firm crimp.

 

[Steve 48]

I use Leadheads and find that I can shoot them very fast with little or no leading. Try them, they have gas checked also. I usually shoot the 158 grs with 6.7 grs of Universal clays which gives you a medium load in a 357 case. Good accuracy also. Steve 48